Rake Back Aluminium Stair Nosing 85 x 32mm

An 85 x 32mm rake back aluminium stair nosing with twin textured High Grip inserts, for heavily used internal stairs with sloping risers. The deep tread carries two grip bands, and the front leg follows the rake so the nosing beds down along its full depth. The 3.5mm gauge is for vinyl and lino.

Choose Obsidian or Solar inserts in any of nine aluminium finishes, in 2.44m, 2.75m or 3.22m stock lengths for cutting on site.

Why this nosing works

Deep tread, sloping riser

The front leg is angled to suit a raked riser: 32mm on the outside face and 29mm inside. It sits tight on concrete and steel stairs where a square nosing would leave a wedge-shaped gap. On top, 85mm of tread carries two High Grip strips, so both the descending and the ascending foot land on texture.

Grip that is measured, not claimed

The High Grip insert has a textured PVC face on a PET base. In pendulum testing at an independent laboratory it scored 95 dry and 60 wet. UK Slip Resistance Group guidance treats 36 and above as low slip potential, so the wet figure clears that line by a wide margin. Two strips across the 85mm tread put that grip under both the descending and the ascending foot.

Pick the insert by LRV

Partially sighted people find a stair by the edge that stands out from the floor. Obsidian (LRV 1.80) suits pale floors and Solar (LRV 55.10) suits mid and dark floors. Aim for a difference of more than 30 LRV points.

When one insert is not enough

Twin inserts earn their place on deep treads and on stairs that take a crowd at once: lecture theatres, stations and stadium concourses. For quieter stairs, the single-insert 56mm rake back is the economical choice.

Nine finishes

Nine finishes. Mill Finish for plant rooms and service stairs; Bright Polished, Satin Silver and Mirrorflect Silver for a silver line from soft to mirror-bright; Satin Gold and Mirrorflect Gold for warm interiors; and Satin Bronze, Dark Bronze and Satin Black to sit quietly on wood, stone-effect and dark floors.

• Rake back aluminium profile, 85mm tread x 32mm riser, 3.5mm gauge
• Twin textured High Grip inserts: pendulum 95 dry, 60 wet
• Obsidian (LRV 1.80) or Solar (LRV 55.10)
• 9 finishes, 3 stock lengths, for vinyl and lino

Where it's used

Concrete and steel stairs with raked risers in colleges, stations, leisure centres, hospitals and office cores, where crowds move at once and the treads are finished in vinyl, safety vinyl or lino.

Specifications

Choosing the right option

Insert colour. Solar for dark, mid-grey, blue and green floors; Obsidian for white, cream, beige and light grey floors. There is no price difference between them.

Finish. Mill Finish is the lowest price, then Bright Polished, then Satin Gold. Dark Bronze, Satin Black, Satin Silver and Satin Bronze share the middle price. Mirrorflect Silver comes next. Mirrorflect Gold costs the most. Satin finishes hide scuffs best on busy stairs.

Length. List your step widths, then work out which of the three lengths cuts them with the smallest offcuts. Allow one spare length on a long flight.

Installation, use & care

Cut each length to the step width with a fine-toothed blade for aluminium and de-burr the ends. The step must be clean, dry and sound. Screw-fix through the channel with fixings to suit the substrate, or bed the profile on a stair nosing adhesive. Clean and dry the channels, peel the backing from the self-adhesive inserts and press them firmly into place over the fixings. Lay the floorcovering tight to the back of the profile. Keep the textured face clean: dirt and polish build-up fill the texture and lower the grip figures. A damp mop with a neutral cleaner is enough. Do not use abrasive pads on the metal finishes.

Frequently asked questions

How slip-resistant is the High Grip insert?

Independent pendulum testing gave 95 in the dry and 60 in the wet. UK Slip Resistance Group guidance classes 36 and above as low slip potential, so even a wet insert has a large safety margin. Those results assume a clean insert: dirt or floor polish in the texture will lower them.

What floorcoverings is the 85mm rake back made for?

Vinyl and lino, including safety vinyl. The 3.5mm gauge means a 3.5mm covering finishes flush against the back of the profile. Carpet needs a heavier-gauge profile.

Is the High Grip insert suitable for external steps?

No. The High Grip insert is rated for internal use, with a service temperature range of -10°C to 80°C. For external steps, choose a profile with an exterior-grade insert, which is listed separately.

Why are there two riser dimensions?

The front leg is angled to follow a raked riser, so it measures 32mm on the outside face and 29mm on the inside. Use the 32mm figure when you check the visible depth of the nosing.

Which insert colour gives the best contrast?

The one furthest from your floor in light reflectance value. Solar is 55.10 and Obsidian 1.80. Approved Document M treats a difference of more than 30 LRV points as adequate visual contrast, so check the LRV on your floorcovering data sheet and pick the insert on the other side of the scale.

Ordering & delivery

You order by the length: each variant is one length of nosing in your chosen finish, insert colour and stock length, with the two inserts supplied. Screws and adhesive are not included. We deliver to UK mainland addresses; carriage and lead time are shown at checkout. Need a quantity price for a whole building? Contact us with your step count and widths.

See our full range of anti-slip stair nosings: aluminium, rubber and PVC profiles for every type of stair.